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Posted: 5/8/2006 8:00:41 AM EDT
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I'm having problems with my FAL, and hopefully one of you can help me. The thing won't extract. It cycles about 1", and then jams the spent brass back into the chamber. The result is a very stuck gun that requires the "pogo" technique to clear the brass. (Pogo = pulling back on charging handle while hitting the butt of the rifle on the ground at the same time.) Here's what I've tried: New gas piston (oversized) New gas tube New gas plug Replaced all springs with new ones The piston drops free all the way through, so I don't think it's binding. There aren't any burrs or high spots in the rails on the receiver (i.e., bolt carrier movement is not impeded). Friction between the bolt and magazine (or ammo in the mag) isn't a factor, because the gun does the same thing without a magazine in it. Also, I am sure that I have the gas regulator in the right spot, and the gas plug set to A and not Gr. I've also pulled the front sight post and made sure that the gas port wasn't gunked up. The gun was a SA kit built on an Imbel GL receiver. The guy I had barrel it for me is a well known and reputable member here with many, many great FAL builds under his belt. I'm firing SA surplus. It does this (jams) with both the SA and Venezuelan CAVIM. If I shoot factory .308 Win (as opposed to 7.62 NATO, which is apparently not as powerful), the thing will cycle sometimes. I apparently have a massive gas leak, but I can't think of anywhere else it'd be coming from. Any input would be greatly appreciated. |
Your previous post claimed a 21" barrel which is unchopped standard length. If the barrel is now shorter and you've not adjusted the gas regulator, this is quite easy to understand. Keep turning the regulator sleeve to shut off the exit port. If you close it all the way and you still have problems, the gas port may need to be bigger. You may want to remeasure the barrel. There are some rules of thumb for gas port diameters vs. barrel length. |
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After you have removed the recoil springs and given them a good cleaning. And after you have polished the inside of the recoil tube. Remove the gas regulator completely so that it is not on the gas block threads at all. Now, take a look at the area of the gas block that was covered by the gas regulator. You should see a small hole that runs perpendicular to the axis of the bore. Inside of that hole should be a steel pin. If that pin is missing, then you now know where your gas is going. BTW, how did you determine that the gas regulator was in the right spot initially? And how did you determine that the gas port was no "gunked up." If you discover that the gas tube pin is indeed missing, don't go ordering one until AFTER you have checked back in here. There is a simple way to coorect the problem that will not involve paying shipping charges. |
I meant receiver chopped, not barrel chopped. Basically, it more likely than not worked before it was turned into a kit, why wouldn't it work after it was turned back into a rifle.
I turned the gas regulator so that it is covering up the gas bleed hole, thus making it so that all of the gas is going into the piston. Also, I am positive that the gas tube retainer pin is in place. Does the simple way to correct the prob w/o shipping involve a short chunk of metal coat hanger?  Anyway, to ensure that the gas port wasn't gunked up I pulled the front sight post -- the gas port is located directly beneath it, and you can see it there. I cleaned the gun from the inside and out with q-tips, toothpicks and pipe cleaners as needed to get it nice and clean. Thanks for the input guys. Unfortunately, I forgot to check the recoil spring tube last night. I'll do so tonight and report back here. |
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I had trouble with an FAL build where the gas tube was worn and would walk out of the front sight post even with the pin installed. I even had an oversized piston. I'd check the tube postion, possibly get a new one. Also check the piston, without the spring to see if it freely slides in/out of the tube OK. Bill |
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my L1A1 has done that twice. after the second time - stoppages were about 100 rnds apart - i took it apart and did a good hard cleaning on it, relubed the entire bolt/carrier w/ CLP, added a little grease on the receiver rails, too. its a parts gun of course - i haven't had any other troubles.....yet. i hope yours is something simple. there are some good FAL-smiths out there, so best of luck! |
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Okay. So an update. I tried everything that everyone here suggested, and to save myself some typing, they didn't work. The next thing I'm going to try is Loctiteing the gas tube in to seal it up -- if that works, then I know where my gasleak is, and I'll just solder the tube on permenantly. If anyone thinks up some more good ideas, please let me know. mr0w1 |
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